The trend of minimalism is one that is certainly not new to Islam. Some factions such as the Sufiyyah (from the word Suf - which translates to a simple garment of course wool, symbolising a detachment from materialistic/worldly pleasure) have practiced this to an ascetic level for over a thousand years up until this day.
To some, having under 100 pieces of clothing or fewer furniture is deemed impossible or a sign of light obsessive-compulsiveness, but from the lens of Islam and the Prophetic tradition, this is a virtue in life which we seek to emulate. I find it very refreshing and fortunate for such a mindset to now be appreciated in the west - albeit for slightly different reasons.
We often hear about how the Prophet was amongst the poor and how his companions would enter into his home for their eyes to be filled with tears, finding in his home but a small bench, a couple of dates and not much else.
We hear of his narrations that one should not even waste water if they are at a gushing stream and so on and so forth, but modernity has made us forget, has distracted us via the comfort of our lives and has veiled us from the reality that suffering and poverty is very much still abundant.
Minimalism is a movement that has skyrocketed in the past few years, and it has guided thousands of people towards pursuing purpose-driven lives. Everyone has a different way of living this out, and that is one of the things that makes it so great.
For the productivity enthusiasts, the removal of material is in attempt to remain focused on that which matters, which may be their career and life aspirations.
For the environmentalists, perhaps a sentiment to sustainability, anti-consumerism, climate and protecting the environment.
For Muslims, there is that but also spiritual levels and incentives; the focus on God and remembrance of the final destination, and how each active decision we make will affect that, and therefore how we live our lives and the environment we create around us too.
Not to forget to mention the emphasis on being charitable and humble, a tenet of the Islamic faith. Hoarding and boasting material pleasure is not from the acts of the pious, and is quite antithetical to the notions of sharing resources with the community, consuming little, helping the needy and collecting deeds for the afterlife rather than this life - a short-sighted investment from the Islamic perspective.
For Muslims, we can take the Modern Minimalist movement as a revival and reminder of a fading element of the Islamic faith. We could borrow techniques from it to practice humbleness, modesty and mindfulness in the decisions we make, altogether affirming the true purpose of life, to serve our creator and make it to the eternal destination, inshaAllah.